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Average Price: $449

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$500

$1201+

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Description

The PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow strikes a perfect chord between elegance and versatility. Designed for musicians who crave the warmth of a hollowbody with the bite of a solid-body, this guitar's craftsmanship is evident from the moment you hold it. Its semi-hollow design lends a unique resonance and sustain that adds depth to any performance, whether you're playing smooth jazz or gritty rock.

Constructed with a mahogany back, sides, and neck, the SE Custom Semi Hollow is topped with a stunning maple top and flame maple veneer, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and tonal richness. The rosewood fretboard with a 25" scale length provides a comfortable playing experience, inviting players to explore its sonic range with ease. The classic stoptail bridge offers reliable tuning stability and enhances sustain, making it ideal for both studio sessions and live gigs.

The SE Custom Semi Hollow is more than just an instrument; it's a statement of style and sound. Its blend of vintage charm and modern precision makes it a favorite among guitarists looking to expand their musical horizons. Whether you're layering intricate melodies or powering through solos, this guitar is your perfect partner in creativity.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollow body design for enhanced resonance and sustain
  • Mahogany back, sides, and neck with a maple top and flame maple veneer
  • 25” scale length rosewood fretboard
  • Stoptail bridge for tuning stability and sustain

Product specs

Brand PRS
Model SE Custom Semi-Hollow
Finish Black, Blue Matteo, Cherry Sunburst, Natural, Scarlet Red, Tobacco Sunburst, Tri-Color Sunburst, Vintage Natural
Year 2007 - 2013
Made In Korea, Republic of
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Natural, Orange, Red, Yellow
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family PRS Custom 22
Model Sub-Family PRS Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series PRS SE
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Flamed

FAQs

What type of music genres is the PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow best suited for?

The PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow is versatile and excels in genres like jazz, blues, and rock due to its warm, resonant tone and semi-hollow body design, which offers a rich, full sound.

How does the semi-hollow body of the PRS SE Custom affect its sound?

The semi-hollow body of the PRS SE Custom provides a blend of solid body sustain and hollow body resonance, resulting in a warm, airy tone with a touch of natural reverb.

What kind of pickups does the PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow have, and what tones do they produce?

The PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow features a dual humbucker (HH) configuration, offering a range of tones from warm and smooth to bright and punchy, making it suitable for various playing styles.

Is the PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow suitable for beginner guitarists?

Yes, the PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable playability, versatile tone options, and high-quality construction, which can inspire new players to explore different styles.

What is the neck profile of the PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow like?

The PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow features a wide-fat neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for both chord and lead playing, making it suitable for a variety of hand sizes and playing styles.

PaulReedSmithGtrs

PaulReedSmithGtrs

PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow Demo

Video thumbnail for PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow Demo by PaulReedSmithGtrs

PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow Demo

PaulReedSmithGtrs

PaulReedSmithGtrs

Video thumbnail for PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar by N Stuff Music

PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for This thing is $700?! | PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow Review for Metal by TheGooseChaseMusic

This thing is $700?! | PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow Review for Metal

TheGooseChaseMusic

TheGooseChaseMusic

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight design makes it easy to carry and play for extended periods

  • Gorgeous natural finish with eye-catching red accents

  • Delivers a bright tone with excellent sustain and warmth

  • Handles gain well despite semi-hollow design

  • Perfect neck shape for comfortable playability

  • Highly versatile for various music styles, from blues to rock

  • Excellent build quality, requiring little to no setup

  • Affordable option for quality sound compared to pricier models

  • Reliable stage and recording guitar

  • Clean tones that sustain beautifully

CONS

  • Nut may require adjustment for heavier strings

  • Wide fat neck might be a stretch for smaller hands

  • Single volume and tone knobs limit tonal control

  • Tuners might need upgrading for better stability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow.

Features and functionality

  • The SE Custom 22 Semi is equipped with 85/15s pickups, which are the same as those in the higher-priced SE Custom 24 Semi Hollow.

    Source
  • The SE Semi-Hollow Piezo Custom 24 includes a custom-designed LR Baggs Piezo system, praised for adding clarity and versatility to solos.

    Source
  • The coil split feature is highlighted as a favorite, providing versatility in achieving various tones.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • A touring musician successfully used the guitar primarily for its Piezo capabilities, showcasing its versatility and quality in professional settings.

    Source
  • Owners frequently use the Piezo for acoustic-like sounds in live settings, running one cable to an amp and another to the PA for a rich third guitar sound.

    Source
  • The 85/15s pickups are well-suited for players who use distortion, providing a versatile sound without immediate need for upgrades.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The SE Semi-Hollow Piezo Custom 24 is considered a bargain at $900, with quality and features comparable to more expensive models.

    Source
  • The SE line, while initially marketed as "Student Edition," has evolved to include professional-level instruments, offering great value at its price point.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users find the SE Semi-Hollow Piezo Custom 24 less bulky than an Epiphone 339, offering similar feel and sound quality.

    Source
  • SE Custom 22 Semi is a discontinued model, with fewer premium features compared to the newer Custom 24 Semi, which includes abalone inlays and a piezo system.

    Source
  • The SE Holcomb is preferred by some for its 25-1/2" scale length compared to the SE Custom’s 25", appealing to those accustomed to Strat-style guitars.

    Source

User experience

  • A player with 17 electric guitars ranks the SE Semi-Hollow Piezo Custom 24 in their top three, highlighting its exceptional playability and sound.

    Source
  • One owner mentions that their PRS SE Custom 22 provides warm tones but can lack defining characteristics without modifications or pedals.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners have modified their PRS SE Custom 22 for Jerry tones by adding Super 2 pickups and a third pickup, requiring routing out the cavity.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Potential setup issues like nut work might be required for optimal playability, but a professional setup often resolves these concerns.

    Source

Build quality

  • The SE line features plastic bird inlays, which some consider a less premium material, though users note minimal visual difference compared to higher-end inlays.

    Source
  • A user experienced significant issues with a PRS SE semi-hollow II, including a dead fret and sandpaper inside the F holes, leading to a return of the guitar.

    Source

Critic Reviews

PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow is a standout in the affordable range, offering pro-level build quality and impressive tone. Its clear, resonant acoustic sound and versatile pickup combinations make it suitable for various styles. While it lacks the individual string intonation option and some finish choices, its excellent playability and nearly perfect intonation compensate well. Overall, a worthy addition to any guitarist's collection, embodying the quality expected from PRS.

positive
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 12 Ratings

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tucson_don

Customized Light Practice Axe

So I've got Ann Margaret, a PRS S2 that I modified and love, but she's expensive and heavy, so I needed a practice axe. Viola, a light, 6# 13 Oz axe I added Schaller locks to (like everything). Oh and I changed the pups here to Bare Knuckles as well: A Mule in the Neck just can't be beat in my book, and an Abraxas in the bridge, again installed backwards. I will detour here and add that this came from Deaf Eddie's ES modification where he splits both neck and bridge coils and creates a single humbucker pair from them both. This is key to more quack from a Les Paul-type axe. Now this pickup combo was made a bit hotter at the bridge on purpose because she's lighter and doesn't have the sustain of the S2. And then there's the issue of the single volume & tone knobs, that just wouldn't do, so I had my local luthier add another tone knob hole and route out the back of the 3-way so I could put in a rotary 5-way and wiring modifications like on the S2. This one duplicates the sounds most often used on Ann Margaret with Bourns 500K push pulls on both tone knobs and .022 orange caps. She goes neck parallel & series with that tone knob, and the bridge knob splits the Abraxas' coil. The 5 way switches from neck and bridge pups only at the extremes, and also covers single coil bridge, as well as in phase and out of phase.

I purchased the wiring schematic from Guitar Electronics, an online shop that publishes many wiring schemes that do work, however, the one they sent me didn't have the in and out of phase wiring completed. They didn't extend the neck signal to positions 2 or 3, nor the ground on these in positions 2-4 on the neck side. Buyer beware. Otherwise this axe is solid and is handling Roto purples (.012-.052's) with no problems staying in tune.

keyser_guitar

Very light, great tone.

This guitar sounds great, and features a nice fat neck that gives the guitar a very substantial feel.

jimmarchi1

it also features the heel from hell

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Shawn Milke uses PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow

Shawn Milke

Singer, Guitarist

Alesana

...
Verified via YouTube

In a 2009 video, at the 1:05 mark, Shawn Milke can be seen playing a PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow. (Source: Jenny F. on YouTube, "Alesana - What Goes Around Comes Around (LIVE, Karlsruhe 09-06-05)").

J

Jonathan Steingard

Guitarist

Hawk Nelson

...
Verified via YouTube

In This Video He Demo's His PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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